How Does Saffron Crocus Propagate? Detailed Guide to Division and Sowing Methods

Saffron crocus is a horticultural variety of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis with certain ornamental value, and its flowering period lasts all year. Because saffron crocus has strong branching ability, it tolerates pruning well, and its range of soil adaptability is also relatively broad. Friends who like to propagate saffron crocus themselves can choose the methods of division and sowing.

Saffron crocus

I. Division Propagation

Propagation by corms: in early to mid-May, before the aboveground parts of saffron crocus have completely died back, dig up the corms, separate them by size, and store them in a ventilated, dry place. Plant them in early to mid-September. Before planting, soak the corms in a diluted benlate solution, and at the same time treat the soil with aldicarb, which is quite effective for eliminating soil nematodes and preventing the spread of pests and diseases. Corms planted early first develop roots and then sprout, emerging early, which benefits plant growth and development; corms planted late first sprout and then develop roots, emerging late, and the seedlings grow poorly. The size of the corms is closely related to whether they flower. Corms weighing less than 8 grams generally do not flower, and the number of flowers increases as corm weight increases. The number of leaf clusters, the number of leaves and leaf size are also related to corm size to some extent. Therefore, saffron crocus planting corms must be selected and graded for planting. Generally they are divided into four grades for planting: above 25 grams, 16-25 grams, 8-18 grams, and below 8 grams, to facilitate management. Before sowing, soaking the planting corms in 5% lime water for 20 minutes can prevent terminal bud rot; soaking the corms in a mixture of 25% carbendazim 500-fold solution with dicofol or 40% dimethoate 3000-fold solution for 20 minutes, then planting immediately, can prevent rot disease and Rhizoglyphus robini. Before planting, remove the side buds on the corms: corms below 16 grams keep 1 terminal bud, those of 16-25 grams keep 2 terminal buds, and those above 25 grams keep 3 terminal buds, and plant them in level beds. The yield of saffron crocus is related to planting density and depth. If planted too shallowly, the number of new corms is large but they are small, and few corms can flower; if planted too deeply (for example, 10 cm deep), although the new corms are somewhat larger, the number of flowering corms also decreases. For this reason, the planting density and depth of saffron crocus should be determined according to corm size, and they should be planted separately. Corms below 8 grams are planted at a row spacing of 9-12 cm, plant spacing of 3 cm, and depth of 3-4.5 cm; corms of 8-25 grams are best planted at a row spacing of 12 cm, plant spacing of 6-9 cm, and depth of 6 cm; corms above 25 grams are best planted at a row spacing of 12-15 cm, plant spacing of 9-12 cm, and depth of 6 cm. When planting, open furrows according to the above depths, place the corms at the above densities with the main bud facing upward, press lightly into the soil, and cover with soil and level it. The seeding rate per hectare is about 10500 kg.

II. Sowing Propagation

Because saffron crocus does not easily set seed, seeds can only be obtained after artificial pollination. Once the seeds mature, sow them as they are harvested in an open-field seedbed or in pots. The sowing density of seeds must not be too high; sparser is better, because the plants need to grow corms and generally cannot be dug up within 2 years. From sowing seeds to the plants flowering often takes 3-4 years.

Corm and sowing propagation of saffron

Saffron, also known as saffron crocus (detailed introduction), is a very famous precious flower. It not only has high medicinal value, but its ornamental value is also very high. Generally, saffron is mainly propagated by two methods: corm propagation and sowing propagation. The editor will introduce the two propagation methods of saffron in detail for you.

Saffron

1. Division propagation. It is generally carried out in August-September. Mature corms have multiple main and side buds. After flowering, new corms form from the swollen base of the leaf cluster. After the aboveground parts wither in summer, dig out the corms, grade them, dry them in the shade, and store them. Planting early is beneficial for forming strong seedlings. Each mature corm has several main buds and side buds. When planting, large corms above 8 grams should be planted separately from small corms. Small corms weighing less than 8 grams cannot flower that year and need to be grown for another 1 year. For pot cultivation, it is advisable in October to select spring-flowering corms weighing about 20 grams, use flower pots with an inner diameter of 15 cm, and plant 5 to 6 corms per pot. After planting, first place them outdoors for care. They take root after about two weeks, then move them indoors to a place with sufficient light and fresh, humid air, and they can bloom around New Year's Day. After flowering, remove the spent flowers immediately to avoid nutrient consumption, and apply 1 to 2 times a compound fertilizer solution based mainly on phosphorus and potassium to promote sturdy corm growth. Continue normal care until the aboveground parts turn yellow and wither in early summer, then take out the corms, dry them in the shade, and store them. Saffron crocus can also be grown in water for ornamental purposes, in the same way as soaking narcissus (detailed introduction).

2. Sowing propagation. Because saffron crocus does not easily set seed, seeds can only be obtained after artificial pollination. Once the seeds mature, sow them as they are harvested in an open-field seedbed or in pots. The sowing density of seeds must not be too high; sparser is better, because the plants need to grow corms and generally cannot be dug up within 2 years. From sowing seeds to the plants flowering often takes 3-4 years.

How Does Saffron Propagate: Sowing and Division Methods

Because saffron does not easily set seed, seeds can only be obtained after artificial pollination. Once the seeds mature, sow them as they are harvested in an open-field seedbed or in pots.

The sowing density of seeds must not be too high; sparser is better, because the plants need to grow corms and generally cannot be dug up within 2 years. From sowing seeds to the plants flowering often takes 3-4 years.

The division propagation method for saffron is generally carried out in August-September. Mature corms have multiple main and side buds. After flowering, new corms form from the swollen base of the leaf cluster. After the aboveground parts wither in summer, dig out the corms, grade them, dry them in the shade, and store them.

Generally, each mature corm has several main buds and side buds. When planting, large corms above 8 grams can be planted separately from small corms. Small corms weighing less than 8 grams cannot flower that year and need to be grown for another 1 year.

For pot cultivation, it is advisable in October to select spring-flowering corms weighing about 20 grams, use flower pots with an inner diameter of 15 cm, and plant 5 to 6 corms per pot. After planting, first place them outdoors for care. They take root after about two weeks, then move them indoors to a place with sufficient light and fresh, humid air, and they can bloom around New Year's Day.